{
  "id": 377796,
  "title": "Air India pilot's psychoactive substance test requires confirmation after altitude-loss incident",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/air-india-pilots-psychoactive-substance-test-requires-confirmation",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-09T13:10:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/air-india-pilots-psychoactive-substance-test-requires-confirmation-after-altitude-loss-incident/article71324821.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On August 4, 2026, an Air India flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi experienced an unexpected loss of altitude during the cruise. The Airbus A320, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, plummeted about 300 feet before stabilizing and making a safe landing in Delhi. Fortunately, only a few passengers and cabin crew reported sustaining injuries during the incident.\n\nFollowing the incident, both flight crew members, including the pilot-in-command, underwent mandatory psychoactive substance screening in accordance with standard operating procedures. The initial screening indicated a result requiring further analysis, prompting the pilot's sample to be sent to a designated laboratory for confirmatory testing. The ministry stated that the final report was awaited.\n\nThe incident has been classified as serious and is currently under investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Until the investigation and testing process are completed, both flight crew members have been removed from the roster by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The ministry emphasized that further actions will be contingent upon the outcomes of the investigation and the confirmatory test results.",
  "summary": "The incident has been classified as a serious incident and is being investigated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Air India flight turbulence: Pilot’s sample sent for confirmatory drug test, result awaited",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/air-india-flight-turbulence-pilots-sample-sent-for-confirmatory-drug",
        "published": "2026-08-09T12:38:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Air India pilot flagged for confirmatory drug test after 300ft plunge",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/air-india-pilot-flagged-for-confirmatory-drug-test-after-300ft-plunge",
        "published": "2026-08-09T13:52:26.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}